Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis with lichen and poikiloderma-like lesions and an excellent response to systemic acitretin

Abstract: Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis is a skin-limited amyloidosis that does not involve internal organs. It is clinically subclassified into 3 general categories and some rare variants. However, there is considerable overlap within the classification. Though there are a variety of therapeutic measures, the treatment is often unsatisfactory, particularly when the disease is severe and extensive. We describe a rare case of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis with lichen and poikiloderma-like lesions that showed an excellent response to systemic acitretin.

The First Korean Family With Hereditary Gelsolin Amyloidosis Caused by p.D214Y Mutation in the GSN Gene

Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (HGA) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by corneal lattice dystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and cutis laxa. So far, no Korean patients with HGA have been reported. A 58-yr-old man presented with involuntary facial twitching, progressive bilateral facial weakness, and tongue atrophy. His mother, maternal uncle, two sisters, and son suffered from the same symptoms. Electrophysiological studies revealed signs of chronic denervation in the cervical and lumbar regions, mild sympathetic autonomic dysfunction, and bilateral facial nerve dysfunction. Diagnostic whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed a p.D214Y heterozygous mutation in the gelsolin gene in affected members. We present the first report of a Korean family with HGA diagnosed by WES. WES facilitated a clinical diagnosis of HGA in patients with undiagnosed neuropathies.

Optical coherence tomography image in gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy: case report / Tomografia de coerência óptica na distrofia corneana gelatinosa em gotas: relato de caso

Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy is a rare disorder with few cases described in the present literature. The following report will show how difficult it is to diagnose this disease in early stages. Modern image exams, such as optical coherence tomography helps to diagnose and can be crucial to establish the best treatment. We will present the histopathological changes and clinical features in this unusual dystrophy.

A distrofia corneana gelatinosa em gotas é uma desordem rara e pouco descrita em nossa literatura. O caso apresentado demonstra a dificuldade de realizar o diagnóstico nas fases mais iniciais da doença. O uso de modernos exames de imagem, como a tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior, auxilia no diagnóstico e pode ser crucial para definir a melhor conduta terapêutica. Apresentaremos as alterações histopatológicas e as características clínicas desta incomum distrofia.

Amiloidose familiar por transtirretina TTR Val30Met e os primórdios do Centro de Estudos de Paramiloidose Antonio Rodrigues de Mello / Principles of the Familial transthyretin amyloidosis TTR Val30Met and the beginning of the Paramyloidosis Center of Antonio Rodrigues de Mello

Objetivos: considerar as etapas de desenvolvimento do conhecimento sobre a Polineuropatia amiloidótica familiar de Corino Andrade, atualmente conhecida como Amiloidose familiar por transtirretina (TTR) TTR Val30Met - AFTTTRVal30Met; registrar os primórdios e os princípios fundamentais do Centro de Estudos de Paramiloidose Antonio Rodrigues de Mello (CEPARM) de atendimento aos sofredores de doença de herança autossômica dominante sistêmica e com polineuropatia de predomínio sensitivo-motora-autonômica; rever aspectos atuais sobre a doença, etiológicos, epidemiológicos, clínicos, diagnósticos e terapêuticos. Método: Revisão narrativa sobre a AFTTTRVal30Met baseada em: documentos da época da fundação do CEPARM e de seis casos iniciais (além de outros 23 arrolados pelo Centro Português); artigos recentes. Resultados: Três momentos básicos são registrados no desenvolvimento do conhecimento sobre os doentes: 1-o inicial, clínico-patológico (1939-52); 2-da abordagem multiprofissional (1952-80); 3-de melhor conhecimento da sua fisiopatogenia e tentativa de debelá-la ou abrandá-la, aí mencionadas as revelações genômicas e o papel da TTR mutante (TTRm) (1980-91); 4-a partir do transplante hepático e evolução do conhecimento sobre a TTRm (1991-). A criação do CEPARM surgiu na confluência dos momentos dois e três: necessidade de contemplar o atendimento integral aos sofredores da doença ultrapassando a etapa diagnóstica, e início da definição da pré-albumina anômala (TTRm). Conclusão: a abordagem multidisciplinar continua a ser a meta de atendimento aos pacientes com PAF, além das iniciativas ao aprimoramento terapêutico, diagnóstico e profilático da doença, dependentes da aliança com áreas de pesquisa das ciências biológicas.

Objective: to consider the development stages of the knowledge about the Familial amyloid neuropathy of Corino Andrade, currently known as Familial transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis TTR Val30Met - FTATTR Val30Met; to register the beginnings and the basic principles of the Center of Studies of Paramyloidosis Antonio Rodrigues de Mello (CEPARM) of the disease sufferers consultations: systemic disease, autosomal dominant inheritance, sensorial-motor and autonomic polyneuropathy; to review the current state of knowledge on the illness, etiologic, clinical, epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic. Method: Narrative review about FTAVal30Met based on: documents at the time of CEPARM foundation and the initial cases (beyond 24 others enrolled by the Portuguese Center); recent articles. Results: in the development of the knowledge on the mentioned patients: 1-initial, medical-pathological one (1939-52); 2-of multiprofessional approach (1952-80); 3 of better knowledge of its physiopathogeny and attempt to reduce or eradicate it, the genomics revelations and the paper of the mutant TTR (TTRm) (1980-91); 4-from the first liver transplant and the increasing knowledge about the TTRm (1991-). The creation of the CEPARM appeared in the confluence of moments two and three: necessity to contemplate the integrated management of the patients exceeding the diagnostic stage, and the beginning of the definition of the anomalous pre-albumin (TTRm). Conclusion: the patients' multidisciplinary approach continues to be the main goal of their management, besides the initiatives to improve therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactics goals, based on the alliance between basic and clinical sciences.

Danish type gelsolin-related amyloidosis in a Brazilian family: case reports / Amiloidose familiar relacionada ao gene gelsolin em uma família brasileira: relato de casos

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF) is an autosomal dominant form of systemic amyloidosis showing marked geographic clustering in Finland. The disease is caused by a point mutation, 654G-A, in the gelsolin gene. The Danish-subtype of FAF has been previously described in three families, the patients present clinical findings similar to FAF, and the mutation 654G-T in the gelsolin gene. Three members from two generations of the same family, with familial amyloidosis, were screened for mutations in the GSN gene. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out under standard conditions, using appropriate primers. Sequence analysis showed the presence of a G to T transition at nucleotide 654 of the gelsolin gene. This is the first report of gelsolin-related familial amyloidosis in a Brazilian family, and the result is particularly significant as this pedigree presents an unusual mutation, described previously in three families, with no known Finnish ancestors (Danish type).

Amiloidose familiar do tipo finlandes (FAF) é uma forma de amiloidose sistêmica autossômica dominante com grande concentração geográfica na Finlândia. É causada por uma mutação, 654G-A, no gene gelsolin. O subtipo dinamarquês da FAF foi previamente descrito em três famílias, com achados clínicos similares mas com a mutação 654G-T no gene gelsolin. Três membros de duas gerações da mesma família, com diagnóstico de amiloidose familiar, foram submetidos a screening de mutações no gene gelsolin. O DNA genômico foi extraído de linfócitos do sangue periférico, sendo realizada reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) em condições padronizadas. A análise do sequenciamento revelou uma transição de G para T no nucleotidio 654 do gene gelsolin. Este é o primeiro relato de uma amiloidose familiar relacionada ao gene gelsolin em uma família brasileira, que apresenta uma forma rara de mutação, descrita previamente em três famílias, sem ancestrais finlandeses (tipo dinamarquês).